#GalwayPort - Revived plans for the €200 million redevelopment of Galway Port may take a great leap forward in the next few weeks with the publication of a new policy document by the Minister for Transport.

The Galway City Tribune reports that Minister Leo Varadkar will release a 'Port Policy Statement' containing key recommendations for a development planning application to be made under IROPI (Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest) legislation.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, plans for a new deeper port in Galway Harbour were revived in August 2012 as harbour bosses sought to exercise a clause in the EU habitats directive.

Galway Harbour Company chief executive Eamon Bradshaw said at the time that the company was taking a new route after examining previous planning applications involving sensitive habitats.

He pointed out that under article 6.4 of the EU habitats directive, applications for projects classified under IROPI legislation allow developers to compensate for any infringement on sensitive habitats by restoring an area of a similar size in a different location.

It's now expected that the IROPI 'fast-track' will be approved if the Galway Harbour Company can prove that the port will have a significant economic benefit to bot the region and Ireland as a whole.

The Galway City Tribune has much more on the story HERE.

#GalwayBay - Funding issues have resulted in the cancellation of what would have been the third annual Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Galway later this year, as the Galway City Tribune reports.

Organisers have expressed their sorrow at having to call a halt to the event, which already had some 1,600 people registered to take part, due to what they claim is a lack of funding from Fáilte Ireland.

“I think it’s ironic that we have to turn people away when ‘The Gathering’ is on,” said co-organiser Eoin McCormack.

The most recent Galway Ironman 70.3, staged in August 2012, overcame local swimming ban concerns to see more than 2,000 athletes swim 1.9km along the Salthill Promenade before a 90km cycle through Connemara and a 21.1km run through the streets of Salthill and The Claddagh.

It's estimated that the inaugural event in 2011 was worth more than €10 million to the local economy.

The Galway City Tribune has more on the story HERE.

#VOR - The Galway City Tribune reports that Taoiseach Enda Kenny has sanctioned a bailout for outstanding debts owed by the organisers of this summer's Volvo Ocean Race finale in Galway.

Minister for Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar had previously ruled out any Government assistance to cover the €400,000 in debts owed by Let's Do It Global to numerous suppliers.

Let's Do It Global was subsequently moved to declare that a decision on bidding to host a third stopover is "postponed" while it concentrated on settling with its creditors.

But now unconfirmed reports suggest that Government funding will be provided in January to cover €360,000 of the debt.

Galway West TD Brian Walsh told the Tribune he is "confident that the issue in relation to debts will be sorted out, and that the creditors - many of whom are small businesses - will be paid."

Though it is unclear when Galway will be prepared to tender for a third hosting of the round-the-world yacht race, organisers for Dun Laoghaire have recently announced their intention to bid for the 2016 race - and cash in on the success of the event in the City of the Tribes this year.

#VOR - The Irish Independent reports that Dun Laoghaire is considering a tender for the Volvo Ocean Race to cash in on the success of the event in Galway this summer.

Despite attracting nearly one million spectators to the City of the Tribes and brining tens of millions of euro into the local economy, Galway is not expected to bid for the next edition of the race in 2014-2015, with race organisers Let's Do It Global citing the need to concentrate on paying off its outstanding debts to suppliers.

That decision paves the way for Dun Laoghaire to table its own bid for the round-the-world yacht race in 2016, after Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council passed a motion to enter consultations with Fáilte Ireland.

With both Fáilte Ireland and the Government potentially stepping up €5 million of the expected €8 million total cost, Dun Laoghaire's hosting of a VOR stopover would be predicated on raising the remaining €3 million.

Councillor John Bailey, who proposed the motion, told the Evening Herald in June: "We need to bring the 2016 race to Dun Laoghaire. It's too late to apply for 2014, but we could make it a great success in 2016."

It's not the first time Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown councillors have eyed the race.

In 2010 Cllr Gearóid O'Keeffe, seconded by Cllr Jim O'Leary, proposed that the council invite Volvo Ocean Race organisers "to designate Dún Laoghaire as a port of call".

However, the south Dublin town's gestures towards hosting this year's edition of the race were scuppered by a lack of available funding, and a tender was never submitted.

A council spokesperson said at the time that the costs associated with hosting the event were "substantial" and that the council wasn't "in a position to underwrite these costs".

Dun Laoghaire also reportedly failed to bid for the VOR in 2009, which sparked a row among councillors after it emerged that Galway's staging of the race that year generated €55 million for the city's economy.

#vor – A new report from the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics at NUI Galway reveals that the Volvo Ocean Race Finale (VOR) which took place in Galway city earlier this year, having hosted a stopover for the Race in 2009, was worth €60.5 million to the Irish economy. Over 500,000 visitors attended events during the festival period from 30 June to 8 July 2012, with 16% of those coming from outside of Ireland.

The 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race lasted for nine months and covered 39,270 nautical miles. The boats circumnavigated the globe, visiting eight stopover ports before finishing in Galway. The participants sailed through four oceans and visited ports in five continents, making it the toughest sailing event in the world. Hundreds of thousands of spectators visited the race villages in the participating ports, while millions tuned in via numerous media channels.

The report, An Economic Assessment of the Volvo Ocean Race Finale, Galway 2012, takes an in-depth scientific examination of the economic impact of the event in Galway over the nine day period. It also reports on the extra-economic benefits of the VOR finale which saw an investment by organisers and Galway City of €7.6 million.

Speaking of the findings, Dr Patrick Collins of NUI Galway's Whitaker Institute said: "For nine days and nights, Galway City became the focal point of one of the most highly regarded international sporting events, supported by over 275 free events around the city. The magnitude of the event in terms of the relatively small economy of the Galway area was exceptional."

For the duration of the event the harbour area of Galway city was transformed into a hub of activity in both the commercial and entertainment spheres. The addition of the 'Global Village', a unique expo highlighting the best of Irish business, education and craft, brought a new feel and focus to the event. The hosting of showcases under the pillars of marine, innovation, green and food, was a platform for the city and the region to display its unique strengths.

The report, which was launched today (26 November) at NUI Galway, identifies key questions on the event's economic impact. Findings reveal the direct expenditure of €35.5 million and indirect spend during the festival period of €25 million giving an overall economic impact of €60.5 million.

The hospitality industries gained the most in terms of relative increase in revenue. In particular the Bar/Lounge sector enjoyed a significant boost over the course of the event with turnover showing a 50% increase across the sector. However, a quarter of local businesses found their business was negatively affected by the Race as most of the economic benefit was located in the areas surrounding the event and particularly by the hospitality industries.

Dr Patrick Collins explains: "What becomes immediately obvious when we look at the relative change in turnover spatially is the tight geography of benefit. What might be termed the 'honey-pot' effect of the Race and Global Villages are obvious with adjacent businesses in particular sectors gaining extra revenue. Revenue gains were highly differentiated by location and business sector. "

Positive employment figures showed an increase in numbers employed over the course of the event, with over 70% of these in the hospitality industry and more than 80% of this located in Galway city centre. However, these employment gains were of a temporary nature - of those hired on a full or part-time basis, 42% were for the duration of the festival only, and only 7% of the new employees lasting beyond a three month period.

The report states that approximately 800,000 visits were recorded to the Race Village and the Global Village over the duration of the Volvo Ocean Race festival and 97% of these race attendees rated their Galway experience as positive.

According to Dr Emer Mulligan, Head of the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, NUI Galway: "The Volvo Ocean Race finale focused the attention of a global audience of over one billion on the city of Galway for the duration of the event. This kind of attention brings with it massive opportunities for the promotion of the city and its businesses."

Extra economic impacts examined and included in the report include results on how businesses and attendees during the Volvo Ocean Race Finale also cited non-economic aspects of the festival. More than 1,500 volunteers took part in the organisation of the Volvo Ocean Race finale in Galway. They contributed thousands of hours to cater for more than 500,000 visitors to the nine-day event.

Dr Mulligan added:  "Looking beyond the economic helps us identify the ancillary benefits and costs of hosting an international event of this scale. Economic impact events of this magnitude are significant but it is incumbent on any assessment to incorporate the extra economic impacts such as boost of morale for the host city and the upsurge of community spirit experienced by all. While the commercial emphasis was obvious, the event did not lose the key element which was held most precious during the 2009 stopover, the family-friendly community spirit."

The report was compiled by Dr Patrick Collins, Dr Stephen Hynes and Dr Emer Mulligan of NUI Galway on behalf of Let's Do It Global.

#JOBS & CAREERS - Anyone considering a change of career into the marine sector would do well not to miss the Careers at Sea Expo in Galway.

Minister of State for Training and Skills Ciaran Cannon will be on hand to open the latest Careers at Sea Expo in Galway city tomorrow evening (Thursday 1 November 2012).

The event, launched earlier this year by local sailing school Bow Waves, will surely be invaluable to anyone considering a change of career to the marine industry, or even seeking opportunities abroad.

As the school's Barry Conlon said last year, he believes there is a worldwide demand for qualified marine personnel and to help people take advantage of these opportunities by showcasing the range of careers available, and how to gain entry into the field.

The Careers at Sea Expo is at the Pillo Hotel on Headford Road north of the city centre, just before the Kirwan Roundabout. The evening runs from 7pm till 10pm (registration at 6.30pm) and is open to the public, with tickets costing only €10.

To reserve your place at the event contact Caroline or Alan on 091 560 560 or e-mail [email protected].

#VOLVO OCEAN RACE - Cardiff in Wales is submitting a bid to host the 2017-2018 edition of Volvo Ocean Race, as yourCardiff reports.

The city's council has signed off on £3 million (€3.7 million) plans to host a stopover on the race route, bidding alongside a shortlist of 30 other cities ahead of an official decision by the race authorities in December.

Cardiff's bid is subject to confirmation of support from the Welsh government and the Cardiff Harbour Authority to cover the costs of the race village, entertainment and media facilities, and management of the race itself over a proposed two-week stopover.

It's estimated that the VOR could bring in millions to the city's economy and "expand Cardiff's reputation as an event city by hosting one of the most important sailing events in the world", according to a report submitted to the council.

The news comes days after organisers of this summer's Volvo Ocean Race finale in Galway postponed their decision on making a third bid to host the race, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

Let's Do It Global said the move was to enable the group to concentrate on paying off its outstanding debts of €400,000 which it says were incurred in the wake of "adverse weather" and increased security costs due to the "outstanding success of the event".

#VOLVO OCEAN RACE - The organisers of the Volvo Ocean Race finale in Galway have hit out at media reports that the city will not put in a bid to host a stopover for a third time in 2014-2015.

According to the Galway Independent, Let's Do It Global have said the decision on making a bid has been "postponed" for the time being while the group concentrates on paying off its outstanding debts

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, €400,000 is owed to some 60 suppliers by Let's Do It Global, who themselves are owed in the region of €170,000 from various debtors.

Hopes that Minister for Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar would step in to make up the shortfall were dashed last weaken when he ruled out any Government bailout, pointing to the substantial funding already provided via Fáilte Ireland.

A spokesperson for Let's Do It Global told the Galway Independent that cost-cutting measures were reviewed at a meeting with stakeholders on Monday, with the "outstanding success of the event and adverse weather" being highlighted as reasons behind the budget over-run.

The Galway Independent has more on the story HERE.

#VOLVO OCEAN RACE - Minister for Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar has ruled out any Government bailout to cover the €400,000 in debts owed by organisers of the Volvo Ocean Race finale in Galway, as the Galway City Tribune reports.

Some 60 suppliers have not yet been paid by organisers Let's Do It Global, who are set to meet with stakeholders this coming Monday to discuss the situation.

The race organisers are themselves owed in the region of €170,000 from their own debtors, but even if collected this would cover less than half the value of their own debt.

Hopes that Minister Varadkar might step in to make up the shortfall were dashed on Wednesday when, speaking to Galway Bay FM, he confirmed that the event already received State funds through its sponsorship by Fáilte Ireland, and that as his own department was operating at a deficit no other funding was available.

A spokesperson for his department added that the Fáilte Ireland sponsorship "was the biggest allocation to any tourism event in 2012".

The news all but rules out the potential third bid to host the event, at least for the foreseeable future.

#RESCUE - A lifeguard at Galway's Leisureland has been praised for his part in the rescue of a canoeist who got into difficulty in the water off Salthill, as The Connacht Sentinel reports.

Ian Brennan raced to the water after a woman looking across from the Galway Bay Hotel spotted the man in trouble a few hundred yards from the shore and raised the alarm.

The Leisureland duty manager, a former competitive swimmer with experience in water safety, said he didn't think twice about the incident.

"I grabbed a ring buoy, ran across the road, stripped down to my boxers and swam to the person," he said.

Brennan managed to swim ashore with the canoeist as Galway's RNLI lifeboat was being dispatched to the scene.

He also commended the lifeboat crew "for the speed at which they launched" and for their quick treatment of the canoeist for hypothermia.

Despite the applause he received from onlookers once back on land, Brennan described his actions as "no big deal".

The Connacht Sentinel has more on the story HERE.